Audi A1 Sportback hatchback (2012-2018) - Practicality & boot space
Audi A1 Sportback model has more space than standard A1, but is still far from spacious
With an exterior that's taller and wider than the three-door A1, the Audi A1 Sportback offers more space for its passengers inside. If you're going to carry adults in the back on a regular basis, then the Volkswagen Polo may be better suited to your needs, because most people will find the Audi’s rear seat quite cramped.
The extra pair of doors adds another string to the A1’s bow, but don’t expect a spacious family car – access to the rear is improved, but it’s still fairly cramped for adults. Some will be put off by this car’s high price, but spend some time in the high-quality interior and consider the high-end technology on offer, and it’s obvious where your money has gone.
Audi A1 Sportback interior space & storage
Thanks to an extra 6mm height and 6mm width, the A1 Sportback has a little bit more headroom and legroom compared to the three-door Audi A1. All UK cars come with five seats as standard, but don’t expect masses of space in the back – tall adults will find it a squeeze to sit behind one another.
The middle seat is also not much use for anyone other than a child, so don’t think of this car as a proper five-seater. If you really need a decent back seat, then consider the larger Audi A3 or a VW Golf. The addition of a rear quarter light makes the cabin lighter, though, and also aids rear visibility.
Boot space
Boot space is on par with the three-door – so you get 270 litres of space with the rear seats in place and 920 litres when they’re folded down flat. You can adjust the height of the boot floor, too, in order to either maximise space or create a perfectly level loading lip. In fact, loading is easy thanks to the large boot opening and small boot lip, which make it easy to lift in heavy and cumbersome items.
If you choose not to have a spare wheel, then you benefit from even more storage space under the boot floor. If you require more boot space, though, then the new MINI 5-door has a slightly bigger 278-litre boot.
